Friday, September 20, 2013

Martyr's Moon by J.E.Lowder

In an ever dangerous struggle Romlin and Elabea continue
their journey of hope. In Martyr’s Moon by J.E. Lowder, we continue the tumultuous
saga that began with the Tears of Min Brock. What began as an amazing hope for
these two young friends has been slowly chipped away, as well as their belief
of a better world. On the run from danger without sign of hope, they have begun
to lose their dream.

Only the foolish believe there is truly one true King of
Claire. Yet in the beginning when they received the parchment requesting their
presence, the hope and belief sustained them. Leaving their own home, and the
very little safety it afforded, they have now found themselves under attack
both physically and mentally by the Cauldron and its denizens. Even Elabea has
begun to doubt that her true heritage is that of a storyteller, one of those foretold
in the beginning.

The Cauldron uses the whisper to erode her confidence and
chip away at her fragile self-esteem. How
could she have been so foolish, the whispers remind her of who she is and where
she came from. Stepping over the cliff would certainly free her from this self-pity
and doubt, but the other whisper continues to push the false one away. Even now Romlin is worried that she will break
and all hope will be lost, but there is more to Elabea then meets the eye.

Suddenly she has overthrown the false whisperer just as they
are on their last hope. The storytelling begins again, moving them further into
the unknown, with challenges they can only imagine. Will they truly be able to
help rebuild Claire, and save them all from the evil power of the Cauldron?

Lowder has given us an amazing array of characters both good
and bad. The protagonists are true believers, yet doubt still clouds their
minds. They are easy prey for the Evil that destroyed Claire in the beginning. Lowder
has gilded them with both strength and flaws, creating a realism that is
difficult to deny. His world is dark and deadly, yet holds a sprinkling of hope
and light, that is beginning to thrust its ways into being.

If you are a fan of magic and hope, as well as fierce, epic battles
between good and evil, you will love this work. Each character sets the stage for a different
appearance and entrance into the plot. The whisper creates drama and delight,
but also doom and despair. The mirroring by the offender keeps you off kilter,
unaware of which whisper to follow.

This would be a great work for the young adult, or anyone
who enjoys adventure and danger. I look forward to following this series to its
finale; I am intrigued by the premise.

Rating 4/5

This book was received as a free download from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.